Method and apparatus for handling soaps and the like



G. FRENCH Aug. 6, 1 935.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SOAPS AND THE LIKE Filed July 18, 1928 TNVENTOR Geri/ml French BY flab m 29 I ATTORNEYS i ff-UNITED STATES Patented Aug. 6, 1935 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SOAPS AND THE LIKE Gerthal French, Bayside, N. .Y., assign'or to Sinclair Refining Company, New Yorkg'N. Y., a

corporation of Maine .Applicationjuly 18, 1928,, Serial No; 293,605.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling soaps. The apparatus of the colloidal suspension. The invention further provides a novel process and apparatus for converting solid, semi-solid or liquid soaps into a suds of uniform but readily controllable concentration and consistency.

,'.The invention isespecially adapted to the handling of so-called soft soaps and provides a novel process and apparatus whereby such ma terials may be dispensed from bulk containers either continuously or intermittently, in the form of'uniformly dense suds of any desired consistency ready for immediate use and entirely free from particles of undissolved soap which are undesirable because they tend to adhere to the surfaces -to which the suds may be applied and are difiicult to remove therefrom. i'Ihe-apparatus of the invention is of simple andcheap though rugged construction and is exceptionally simple to operate. The'process and apparatus of the invention as applied to the dispensing of soaps and similar materials permits themtobe instantaneously converted 'to aform inewhich they can be most advantageously used in; any quantity desired for immediateuse, thereby promoting more economical use of such materials and materially reducing waste. mThe invention will be further describedin connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates 'in elevation and with parts brokenaway, one form of apparatus embodying the inventionand adapted to carry out the improved process of the invention, but it-.,is' intended and will be understood thatthis. further description-andillustration are for the purg poses of: exemplification and the "invention is notv limited thereto. r

11-.Referring-to the drawing, a bulk-container I I havin -a relatively large removable end-cover is; shown; No, special size :or shape container is required, 'the form illustrated being a standard drum ror' barrel of the type generally employed forstoring or transporting "solid or semi-solid materialsl Thecontainer ,l is provided witha cover plate 2 arranged to close the opening in the upper; end of the container and adapted'to support the. inlet member 3 and outlet member 7 6;;;Which;extendthrough the cover plate '2 to a pointinear the lower-end of'the' container L In-e let member 3; whichmay be connected to any suitablesmeans forv supplying hot or' cold water 12 Claims. (01. 299-84).

or other liquid under pressureisprovided with a control valve '4 and a branch connection 9. The inlet member 3 and outlet member 6 are connectedat their lower ends with a mixer 1 having a number of perforations 8, located preferably' on the lower side thereof. A nozzle 5 is provided at the discharge of the inlet member which extends approximately to the 'center of the mixerl. Branch connection 9 is preferably connected as shown on the discharge side of the-control valve 4 and provided with an independent control valve ID. This branch connectionr9 extends through the cover plate 2 to a short distance above the mixer I and is provided'with a number of perforations H, I2 and p I 3 near its lower end which are preferably arranged so that liquid discharged therefrom will be directed toward the inlet and outlet members; .Other perforations may also be provided in the branch connection 9 soarrangedras to direct jets of liquid to other parts ofthe container. An air inletpipe l4,'having a control valvelB, extends through and is supported by the cover plate 2. This airinlet pipe I4 is connected'at its lower end to the mixer 1. The discharge end of the outlet member 6 may be provided, as'shown, with a suitable screen or strainerl6, if desired;

In the'operation of the apparatus illustratedin the-drawing to produce suds from a soft soap within container I,- water is supplied to the inlet member 3 under pressure and is forced through the jeti. The flow of 'water'through jet 5, controlled by the valve 4, creates a region of low pressure within the mixer 'l. A regulated amount ofwater isby-pa'ssed through branch connection 9 andinjected' into the container through the perforations at the lower end of this pipe. The water so introduced to the container dissolves the soap and accumulates as a pool ofconcentrated soap solution at the bOttOmOf the container. The upper surface iof-thispoolis maintained above the level of the perforations in the mixer 1; By arranging the perforations ll, I2 and I3 soas to direct the stream of water emitted therefrom toward the inlet and outlet members andthei air pipe I4, a liquid seal is formed which prevents air from being drawn downwardly through channels which may beformed by insertion of these pipes into the semi-solid soap mass. If the character of the material to be handled is such that it tends to cake or'adhere to the walls of the upper portion of the container, branch connection 9 may advantageously be perforated in suchla manner as to distribute jets of'liquid causes the soap solution in which the mixer isimmersed to be drawn through perforations 8 from whence it is discharged by theQforce of the jet through the :outlet member :6} tog'therliwith the additional water supplied by the jet. 1" Air may also be drawn into the mixer I through the gether with the additionahwater supplied bygtne nozzle 5 are'intimately admixed so astokiotm'a dense suds in their passage upwardly through the discharge member 6. Any ipanticles vo'f lundissolved soap which may havebeeri"drawn through the perforations 8, for example when such particles are forced through the' pexiioration'silwihen the mixing device is inserted in afresh container, may be caught by the screen or strainer T6. In normal 'So'peration, ihowsevenzlthe strainer is not necessary \The' arelative amounts of water; soap and air rhesregulatemby adjusting waives- 4,

[0 and i t5and when:a satisfactory ailjustmentof the "valves in .and" I5 'is iobtziined the operation may he entirely disccntinuedrordesumed layoperationcofthe valved alone; .v k.

.Ifrthe apparatus isitobe'.operatedzintennittently to dispense =ionl-y irelati-vely'ssmall quantitiessdf material at one atime iibranchzeon'nection :9 iismot essential, as when the waive 4 is :closedzthe rinlt member 3-,ibe10WVd1Ve 4, and 1theooutlet member 6 will .drainrintoithe.cbottcm of thercontamer forming a ;pool of 'isufilcient :capacity :to :permit satisfactoryrnperationzof .the apparatus Lto' heme sumed and -.carried .on for :aeshort 'iime without separately introducing :additiunal mater idirectly toithe containers a Whenraccurate regulation aof ratio of s or other isemi-solid 'Imaterial'dn water or iother liquid is not :essential, lthe. brunch tconnectionf! may be eliminated evenlif theinpparatus is (to be operated :wntin'uously sand .the iiiquid necesmry to provide the rconcentrated solution isupplied to the mixer I iintmdlmed ito-vthe conta'inerfl', ior example, ithroughiaperforatiuns sin the :lower ofzthe" inletmemberii. 'riiowev'enwhenzthe latter arrangement is employed it is imposflble to iride pendentlyicontrollthe nmount ofsliquidiintroduced 'dire'ctlydnto stile container :and :the-mmorunt :aot; liquid supplied Lto :the nozzle ;5, 2 andx'care :must' be taken'rthatmthe' periorations small enough *0. prevent iai greater :amount Iof :liquidibeing iritro+ duped directly to :the nontainer than? can be removed rby :the auction l of :the; jet. islmilarly athe branch connection '9 is-l'ndt essential in a-liquidr'soap asrinrhandling a soapeoroothermae terial already-in theliquid\form'it isrnotnecessany to s'separately introduce :water .nother liquid directly to-the-rzcontainer. 1

vsIn emplnying ithe apparatusforathe,iiriyentimi for zhandling ais'Oft :soap on other :seriii-solid'or solid'rmaterials-where lt is desired :to deliver the final product 5315 in solution nor emulsion? rather than as azfroth or suds the :air ipipeiiliamay t'be closed or entirely eliminated and -the concentra tion 'of; tthe :solution controlled 1 by regulati'on of valves dwand :l0.';;incrcasing the-fio'w of .rliquid through:branchiconnection -9 relative :to the fiow ofliquid through mozzle. 5 to :increase thereon-5 centration' ofith'e solution; 1 e

. 'The apparatus of the .:invention may begl fabri-l cated :almost :entirely 'from t-standardjequipment and is exceptionally zcompact.r::IBy connecting theginlet membercii uwith asourcetof :liquidsupply.

fend the'fc'ontainer is not necessary.

through a flexible connection theentire assembly may be removed with the cover-plate 2 and inserted in a new container without disturbing the adjustment of the various parts or without disconnecting the inlet member from the source of liquid supply.

Other advantages of theprocess and apparatus of the: invention are that it is not nececsary or the container to be under pressure or vacuum.

v Accordingly, no special containerconstructed to air inlet pipe 14 and the soap'solution and air to withstand pressure or vacuum is required and an absolutelygiltigh-t seahbetween the cover-plate :2

@I claim: l y, r, r 1 1'"1- 'Andmproved'method of handling soaps and thelike, comprising supplying a. liquid under pressure to allow-pressure zone and discharging said liquidziintog-saidizone as a high velocity jet whereby a. region of lowfpressure is created around said jet, and causing a concentratedlsolution of the-soap and'a' regulated-quantity Jot gas to be drawn into said region of low ,prea'mre andsintimatelyl a'dmixed, with said liquid'to form adenseisuds by theactionof-theJjet.

2. An zimproved'method of handling soapsrand the like; comprisingyintroducing a solvent F l inzarrestri'cted amount into a body ofrthesoapgto form'a concentratedsolution of lsoap and'liquid,"

supplyingqan tiadditional quantity of iliquid under 1 pressure to a low-pressure zone'randdischargin said liquid 'lint'o" said ."zone as =-a high fvelocityljet, whereby-a :region of lowiipr'essu're aroundsaid :jetfand :causing the said. tratedisolutionzand :a regulated quantity of gas tobe drawninto said-:regionfof low presure' intimatelyradmixed :with the additional qumtity of lliqu'id to :form a dense suds by the acticm qt thejet.

' iv 3 -:3;. A mixing device I of v the charactervthitnd, comprising 'a" :main water. :conduit terminating in' a liquidjet vacuum pumpand-antaurdlfli watersupply pipecommunic ating' with. "saidtn'mlin water asupplyfconduit ln advance ofsairl pump andterminatingainoperative J torthe' zterrriinal-of the intake of said 1 5.: IA} mixing device of the 'characterlsta'tifl, 7'

com risin -a" main liquid conduit, asuction'ercat ing -xievice operatively connected-with saidcon duit and adapted to be operated by liqui'd pa'ssing through :said conduit to draw into the stream ot liquid insaidc'on'duit anotheri liquidfto be imixed therewith, :and an auxiliaryliqu'id conduit luiding from saidmam liquid con'duit' to 9 pciritln V proximity of 'the- 'suction intake of "said suction creating device 'and adapted' to supply an mmiliaryliquefying stream' in proximity 0! *ccifl uctionintake.

V 6. fA mixing device-of the charapter' statcd; comprising a main liquid conduit, :1, jsuctilm j creating-' device operativelv connected with-said conduit and :adapted to be operated by iiquid passing .throu'ghsaid 'conduit to draw into the stream :of, liquid ine saidconduit another to be mixed therewith, an auxiliary liquid conduit leading from said main liquid conduit to a point in proximity of the suction intake of said suction creating device and adapted to supply an auxiliary liquefying stream in proximity of said suction intake, and means to control the rate of passage of liquid through said. auxiliary liquid conduit.

7. The combination with a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of soap, of a soap mixing device adapted to be extended through the opening of said reservoir and to be mounted therein, comprising a main water line adapted to be connected at one end to a source of water supply and adapted to discharge at its other end, a suction producing device in said water line intermediate of the receiving and discharge ends thereof and adapted to be operated by the stream of water passing therethrough, said suction producing device having its intake positioned within said reservoir near the bottom thereof for drawing into said stream of water a supply of soap.

' 8. The combination with a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of soap, of a soap mixing device adapted to be extended through the opening of said reservoir and to be mounted therein, comprising a main water line adapted to be connected at one end to a source of water supply and adapted to discharge at its other end, a suction producing device in said water line intermediate of the receiving and discharge ends thereof and adapted to be operated by the stream of water passing therethrough, said suction producing device having its intake positioned within said reservoir near the bottom thereof for drawing into said stream of water a supply of soap, and an auxiliary water line connected with said main water line and terminating near the intake of said suction producing device for supplying a liquefying stream of water into the mass of soap in proximity of said intake.

9. The combination with a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of soap, of a soap mixing device adapted to be extended through the opening of said reservoir and to be mounted therein, comprising a main water line adapted to be connected at one end to a source of water supply and adapted to discharge at its other end, a suction producing device in said water line intermediate of the receiving and discharge ends thereof and adapted to be operated by the stream of water passing therethrough, said suction producing device having its intake positioned within said reservoir near the bottom thereofior drawing into said stream of water a supply of soap, an auxiliary water line connected with said main water line and terminating near the intake of said suction producing device for supplying a liquefying stream of water into the mass of soap in proximity of said intake, and means to control the supply of water through said auxiliary water line.

10. The combination with a reservoir having an opening adapted to contain a supply of soap, of a soap mixing device adapted to be extended through said opening in said reservoir and to be mounted therein, comprising a main water line disposed above the level of soap supply and being adapted to be connected to a source of water supply and being adapted to discharge at its other end, and a suction producing device in said main water line also positioned above the level of said soap supply and having its intake positioned below the level of said soap supply.

11. The combination with a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of soap, of a soap mixing device adapted to be extended through the opening of said reservoir and to be mounted therein, comprising a main water line adapted to be connected at one end to a source of water supply and adapted to discharge at its other end, a suction producing device in said water line intermediate of the receiving and discharge ends thereof and adapted to bejoperated by the stream of water passing therethrough, said suction producing device having its intake positioned within said reservoir near the bottom thereof for drawing into said stream of water a supply of soap, an auxiliary water line connected with said main water line and terminating near the intake of said suction producing device for supplying a liquefying stream of water into the mass of soap in proximity of' said intake, and means to control the water through said main water line.

12. In a system for making a soapy solution, passing a stream of liquid through a passageway, contacting a portion of the stream in a chamber with material to be dissolved and thereby forming a solution, utilizing suction created by a second portion of the stream for sucking the solution through a second passageway arranged within the chamber, introducing air into a medial portion of said second passageway, and mixing said air and solution with the second portion of the stream.

GERTHAL FRENCH. 

